VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver City Council has unanimously approved a motion brought forward by Green Councillor Pete Fry directing staff to report back on formal park designation options for city-owned greenspace along Gore Avenue between Keefer and Union Streets, including the site at 722 Gore Avenue.

The motion responds to long-standing community concerns about the uncertain status and ongoing neglect of a de facto neighbourhood greenspace created after residents successfully stopped a proposed freeway through Chinatown, Hogan’s Alley, and Strathcona in the early 1970s. The site includes mature trees, walking paths, benches, and a rare giant Sequoia, and has been informally maintained for decades with Park Board groundskeeping support.

Recent proposals that could have resulted in tree loss and resurfacing at 722 Gore Avenue, alongside findings from the City’s 2022 Tree Canopy Assessment, which identified Strathcona and Chinatown as having some of the lowest canopy cover in Vancouver, renewed calls from residents and advocates for permanent protection of the space.

“This motion is about recognizing the real value of neighbourhood greenspace, particularly in communities that have experienced historic displacement and continue to face extreme heat and health inequities,” said Councillor Pete Fry. “Residents have been clear that this space should be protected and enhanced, not treated as leftover land.”

Earlier in October, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation formally declared its interest in preserving the greenspace at the northeast corner of Gore and Union, initially under Park Board care and ultimately as a permanent park. Council’s decision now directs staff to report back with recommendations on the most appropriate and expedient park designation tools available under the Vancouver Charter, including permanent or temporary park status or custody, care, and management by the Park Board.

The motion passed unanimously, affirming Council’s support for protecting vital local greenspace for current and future residents of Strathcona, Chinatown, and Hogan’s Alley.